Hotel Review: Residence Inn/Courtyard Marriott Downtown

The hotel's sleek exterior. 

Downtown Phoenix is undergoing a renaissance. I've only lived in Phoenix for a little more than two years, and in that time, I've seen it grow and change in mostly positive ways with more and more restaurants, bars, shops and venues popping up in what was once a relatively sleepy part of town.

One of the signs of growth? New hotels popping up. One of the latest to hit the scene is the Residence Inn/Courtyard Marriott Downtown. This a very affordable spot, with rates hovering at about $100 in November of 2017. This is a dual hotel, with the Residence Inn providing long-term lodging options and the Courtyard portion supplying a daily place to stay. 

Residence Inn room. Note the pretty geode on the wall. 

The biggest advantage of this hotel is that you're literally staying as close as you can get to the Talking Stick Resort Arena and Chase Field. If you're in town to see a baseball or basketball game or a show, that makes this hotel an ideal option. Plus, the views of downtown Phoenix are practically unmatched. I admire the modern details in the rooms here. The most striking one was a geode panel that separated the bathroom from the bedroom. 

Like many hotel chains, many Marriotts now allow dogs. And this hotel is no exception. There's a limit of two pets per room. The max weight for the dog is 75 pounds. There's a nonrefundable fee of $150. You'll want to contact the hotel directly for details. 

"Here at the Residence Inn/Courtyard Phoenix Downtown, pets are considered a part of the family, and are treated to the same outstanding service as our human guests. There’s nothing better than curling up with your cat or doggie in a luxurious bed to make you feel at home. And if you’re planning an outing with your pet, you can use our complimentary Internet access to find the nearest dog-friendly spots and local pet stores," says Yvette Koebke, director of sales and marketing at the hotel. 

The hotel is in a relatively quiet area of downtown, making it an ideal place where you can walk your dogs. The bathrooms in the Residence Inn are spacious enough where you could leave your dog there if you were afraid that he or she might make a mess when you're gone. I'd recommend this affordable hotel if you're looking to have an adventure downtown with your dogs and want to be near many of downtown's top venues. 

**Please note that my hotel stay was comped. Thoughts are my own.